BPD suspends officer who used Taser in 2007 traffic stop

Published 5:20 pm, Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco

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James Cody Guedry

James Cody Guedry

Photo: Guiseppe Barranco

BPD suspends officer who used Taser in 2007 traffic stop

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James Cody Guedry, convicted last year of official oppression for shocking an unarmed man with a Taser during a 2007 traffic stop, was put on indefinite suspension without pay Monday by the Beaumont Police Department.

The suspension was a result of the December 2010 conviction, said department spokesman, Officer Randy Stevens.

On Feb. 8, Glen W. Morgan, Guedry's attorney, served a motion seeking a new trial in the former police officer's case. In the motion, Guedry claims there was insufficient evidence to convict him and that his lawyer during the trial was not effective.

Guedry, who was a rookie officer during the Aug. 24, 2007 traffic stop, was sentenced to 90 days probation for shocking Derrick Newman, an unarmed passenger in the car, with a Taser.

Guedry testified last year that he was following orders from a senior officer when he used his Taser on Newman. He added that Newman was resisting his search and grabbed his hand during a pat down. Newman denied that he touched Guedry's hand during testimony.